Which reminds me: is Paul a total Mary Sue in the books as well? I get that the fact that he’s a competent fighter is earned but he’s also the prophesied savior, can do that voice thing, called the biggest sand worm ever on his first try, and is the only male able to drink the worm juice and survive? [Reply]
Originally Posted by ThaVirus:
I’ve never read the books.
Which reminds me: is Paul a total Mary Sue in the books as well? I get that the fact that he’s a competent fighter is earned but he’s also the prophesied savior, can do that voice thing, called the biggest sand worm ever on his first try, and is the only male able to drink the worm juice and survive?
I mean, he’s the Kwisatz Haderach. The result of a millennium of breeding programs to produce a Chosen One.
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut:
Here's something else that bothered me a bit -- they undersold the importance of Spice. Again, I think, to simplify Paul's motivations and character.
Because "Paul is a religious zealot who's bought into his own bullshit" is a LOT easier than "Spice is the material that makes interstellar travel possible and makes Arrakis the most important economic zone in the known universe..."
Suddenly Paul doing what he did is far more defensible - The best defense is a good offense when EVERYONE would gladly conquer your planet and strip mine the whole damn thing.
But again, if you're going to make Chani a noble heroin and Paul a savage zealot, you can't introduce that aspect of it. You can't so much as whisper about the Spacing Guild and their influence on events. Because that would make Paul's actions even more defensible and Villeneuve's general disdain for religious fervor couldn't be hammered home as readily.
Don't they talk about how important spice is and that it is required for safe interstellar travel? How it's the most expensive thing in the galaxy. It was when Paul was watching the documentary thing before he left for Arrakis. [Reply]